THE HON BILL SHORTEN

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG

 

SENATOR STEPHEN CONROY

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

 

GAI BRODTMANN MP

SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE

MEMBER FOR CANBERRA

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

DEADLINE DAY FOR TONY ABBOTT TO TAKE ACTION ON ADF PAY DEAL

 

Tony Abbott has until the end of the day to ensure a fair pay deal for Australian Defence Force personnel.

 

It is time Tony Abbott showed some leadership and took action to overturn the Government's unfair decision to cut the real pay and conditions of our servicemen and women, including Christmas and Recreation leave.

 

Some reports suggest that Tony Abbott may back down on some leave entitlements, but is still planning on delivering a real cut in wages to our service men and women.

 

That is shameful and wrong.

 

The deadline for the Prime Minister to write to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal is 1 December.

 

Funding for a fair pay deal for our service men and women is already in the budget.

 

Community outrage at the Abbott Government's decision is growing, with more than 58,000 people signing a petition calling for a fair pay deal.

 

Labor is proud to receive this petition today and to keep up the pressure on the Prime Minister to take action.

 

The Prime Minister is also disgracefully using the ADF as political pawns to cut the pay and conditions of all Commonwealth public servant.

 

He told Parliament last week:

 

“I can assure members opposite that no-one in the public sector will be get a better deal than our defence force personnel."

 

This is simply shameful.

 

Our service men and women shouldn’t have to fight the Abbott Government for decent pay and conditions.

 

 

MONDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2014

 

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